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happiness is…

This morning I got up before anybody else, ran a pot of coffee, and sat down at the kitchen table to read a little and enjoy the silence. It’s one of those little pleasures that I’m grateful for in this time of my life. No more racing out the door trying to get little ones to school or church or activities…just me. And the dog.

That damn dog has wriggled her way into my heart in a rather unexpected way. It’s hard not to smile when she presses herself against my leg, wanting to be petted. It’s a little moment of happiness we share.

I’ve been making an effort to find these moments more often, and recognize them for what they are … little expressions of joy that fill my day, and fill up my spiritual and emotional tank.

“Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness is made up of those tiny successes. The big ones come too infrequently. And if you don’t collect all these tiny successes, the big ones don’t really mean anything.” ~ Norman Lear

A stolen kiss in the kitchen. A favorite song that pops up on the radio. That delicious feeling of sliding between freshly laundered sheets. Getting through the green light at a busy intersection. I’m not particularly discerning about these things (well, maybe about those kisses in the kitchen — there shouldn’t be a limit on those).

I am, however, becoming more and more intentional about noting these moments and being grateful for them. Somehow, they’ve seemed to multiply because of it. Maybe…they were there all along.

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11 thoughts on “happiness is…”

I couldnt agree more with your posting. It’s the simple things in life that really bring us happiness throughout the day. It’s not possible to be happy all the time, because there’s so much to do, so much stress, but like you said, a cup of coffee you enjoy or a kiss with your loved one, or a hug or walk with your dog can do a lot. Thanks for the reminders!

I really appreciate this happy post. I see the small joys of every day as God’s way of sending his kisses our way: watching your child reach out and help someone else without being asked… finding a friendly hand-written letter in the mailbox… eating a homemade treat… flowers in my workspace… being surprised by something good that happens… getting a parking space on a busy street… having your favorite items on sale at the market… listening to a child learning to read… inspired art or architecture…

And, like you, I have a goofy dog that keeps me laughing, and my heart is often encouraged by good music on the radio or on the iPod.

Each and every time my children smile at me… when my baby boy frowns and makes this rabbit noise… letting someone pass when there’s a lot of traffic… The faces of my loved ones when I surprise them… smelling clean clothes before putting them on… putting something on that’s just come out of the drier… not having to iron for once… time to knit calmly…